Hayrack



Aug. 23, 1 932. 5. PEARCE 7 1,873,469

- HAYRACK Filed Nov. 19, 1929 INVENTOR JPearce ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 23, 1932 warren STATES SOLOMON PEARCE, OEELIZABETH, ILLINoIs HAYRAGK Application filed November 19, 1929. Seria1.I\To.. 408,350.

This invention relates to hay racks and, more particularly, to what are known as basket hay racks as applied to wagons. Among other objects, it aims to provide an improved self-locking connection between the side frame members of the wagon and the platform whereby a strong and very durable connection is made and whereby the parts may be assembled and dismantled very readily.

In the accompanying drawing, wherein there is shown a selected embodiment of the invention:

Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view of a hay rack embodying the improvements;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view showing interlocking connection between the wagon platform and one of the standards of a side frame;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2, but showing one side frame removed.

Referring particularly to the drawing there is shown a hay rack for a wagon including a flat platform 10 mounted on the usual cross beams or arms 11 which are spaced at intervals on the longitudinal sills or frame members 12.

At the opposite sides of the platform 10,

there are shown a pair of side frames each made of a series of uprights or standards 13 to which longitudinal side slats or boards 14 are connected. My improvements relate particularly to the manner of connecting and supporting these side frame members on the flat platform so that they can be quickly removed or set in place and will not become dislodged or fall off when the hay rack is loaded.

Herein, referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the standards or certain of the standards 13 of the side frames are arranged to be seated on the side rails 15 of the platform immediately above the cross beams 11 and hook-shaped locking members 16 are shown as beingbolted to these standards so that the bent ends of the hook-shaped members lie slightly above the top of the platform. It will be observed that the side rails 15 in this example are somewhat thicker than the boards 10 composing the upper ends of the loops 17.

the bottom of the rack. Adjacent to the insideedges of the side rails 15 and loosely connected to the cross beams 11 are loop-shaped locking links or members 17so arranged as to be engaged by thev hook members 16. Re.- ferring to Figs. 2, 3 andt, the loop-shaped members which resemble the links of a chain 1 are each shown as working in a kerf or slot 18 cut in the cross members and preferably havinga thin sheet of metallg affording a bearing surface for the bottoms of the links when theyiare pulled up as shown. A bridge plate20 is preferably screwed across or at the bottom of each slot or kerfslot 18 so as to prevent the links from dropping down out of reach of an operator standing on the wagon platform, the idea being to permit him to lift the links or loops so that they may be engaged by the hook members, the side frames being held atsuch an angle to the platform that the ends of books 16 may engage It will be seen that the side frames are adapted 'to be set up on the platform and are held or braced in their'vertical position by means of, braces 21 conveniently made ofbent strap iron or steel. In this example, the braces haveopenings in which are inserted pins 22 arranged both on the standards 13 and the cross beams 11 and they are prevented from sliding or losing off the'pins by any suitable means such'as cotter pins, nuts or the like.

In order to-remove the side frames in case it is desired to use the flat platform without 7 them, it is only necessary to disengagethe braces atone of their ends and swing the side frames inwardly over the flat platform thus' automatically disengaging the hooks from the loops so that the side frames are free and can be "lifted. When this is done, the loops 17 fall by gravity to the bottoms of their kerfs or slots and are entirely out of the way of any load that may be placed on the platform. This position of one of the links is'clearly shown in Fig. 4.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the improved connections between the side frame members and the wagon or rack platform can be made verycheaply and loo 7 V o q prising 1n combinatlon, cross beams sup V that the connections are absolutely rigid and secure when the brace members are attached. Furthermore, the frame members can be quickly applied to or removed from the platform or rack.

which maybe drop-forged or. rolled or diestamped, and they will last as long, if not longer, than the Wood parts of the rack.

- Obviously, the presenti'rinventionis not;

restricted to the particular embodiment there- H of herein shown and described. 7

' What is claimed'is: j v 1. A rack of the characterdescribed, comfportinga platform; side frame members m senting standards adapted to beset on the platform above the cross beams ;hook-sl1aped members secured to the inside edges of the standards adjacent to their lower ends; loop 7 sh ap d locking; links looselyw and slidably secured to said cross .beams and'. projecting up- 7 tial'depth to receive said links;v metal: bear- 1 gagedl. from the hook-shaped members.

Wardl throughsaid platform and engaging said hook members; said-cross: beams presenting kerfs on the under SldQS Of substaning seats in the bottoms of said kerfs; and bridge plates across said kerfs arranged to prevent the links. from falling; out of reach tlirough the platform. y 2. a rack of the character describedfincombinationgcross beams supporting a plat form side frame'member's presentingx stand ards adapted to be. set on the platform;- hookshap'ed members secured to the insideedges ofth'e standardsjadj acent to thei r'lowerends loop-shaped locking links looselyand slidably securedf to -said cross beams and mov able vertically in kerfs on the under sides of said: cross beams; and means mounted on the cross beams and engaging. said. locking links- -When in their lowermost. positions tohold the upper ends of said locking. Links slight- 1 y spaced above the top surface of the platform, so that said links maybe readily grasped by the fingers of an operator-and lifted upwardly for engagement WithLthe hook-shaped members, said links gravitating into non-obstructive positions Whenvdisen In testimony, that I claim the foregoinga-s my ovvnfl have hereto aiHXed my signature.-

soLo-Mloii PEARCE.

There are no complex parts that are apt to break and require replacement. All of the connectionslare made of steel, 

